Disease Prevention & Control
HIV/AIDS
The Health Department has two main goals for its HIV programming: To provide testing to those who are unaware of their HIV status, and to provide case management services for people living with HIV.
HIV Investigation
Current data
- Total number of diagnosed cases of HIV from 2017-2018: 92
- Number of cases in which injection drug use was reported as a risk factor for exposure: 51
- Number of HIV tests conducted by NKY Health in 2018 (as of Dec. 3, 2018): 1,495
- Number of HIV tests conducted by NKY Health in 2017: 1,369
- Number of people linked to HIV Case Management services (seen below) that were diagnosed with HIV after January 2017 and indicated that injection drug use was a risk factor for their HIV infection (as of Dec. 20, 2018): 46
Information about hepatitis C in Northern Kentucky
Action steps
- Communicable disease investigation underway–including in-depth interviews with those infected and genetic testing of blood samples to determine if those infected in Northern Kentucky have the same strain.
- Working with those who are infected with HIV to ensure that they have access to appropriate care (see HIV Services below), both for infectious diseases and addictions treatment.
- Expanded opportunities for testing for HIV (see HIV testing below) and hepatitis C, with targeted outreach to test individuals who inject drugs.
- Continuing to advocate for syringe access exchange programs o reduce the threat of diseases spread by injection drugs.
HIV Services
The Health Department has two main goals for its HIV programming: To provide testing to those who are unaware of their HIV status, and to provide case management services for people living with HIV.
HIV testing
The only way to find out if you are infected with HIV is to get tested. The Health Department provides anonymous and confidential HIV testing and counseling, with results available during your visit. see below “HIV Testing” for more information.
Condom distribution
See Condom Distribution tab below
PrEP
Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, is a way for people who do not have HIV but who are at substantial risk of getting it to prevent HIV infection by taking a pill every day. More about PrEP.
If you are interested in PrEP, talk to your primary care doctor or family doctor. If she or he is unwilling to provide PrEP, contact the PrEP clinic at University of Cincinnati at 513-475-8585 to schedule an appointment. No referral is required.
PrEP locator: A national database of US PrEP providers can help you find PrEP in your area.
After an HIV diagnosis
The Health Department can provide the following services to those recently diagnosed, and can work with clients and providers to do the following:
- Assistance with communicating the diagnosis of HIV and necessary referrals for those persons diagnosed. Health Department staff can meet with patients in their provider’s office
- Case reporting
- Partner notification, partner testing and education
- Provide linkage to HIV specific medical care including but not limited to:
- Referral to infectious disease providers
- Assistance with enrollment and other social service programs
- Assistance with supportive services such as dental care, housing, transportation, counseling, etc.
To learn more, please call 859-363-2054.
HIV/AIDS case management
HIV/AIDS case management services provide support, stabilization and referrals to community resources for persons living with HIV/AIDS and members of their households. See Case Management tab below.
HIV Testing Sites and Care Services
This online tool takes advantage of open data from agencies such as the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), along with other Federal departments like the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), to allow searches across many service provider databases at one time. Results are displayed on a dynamic map, marking each service provider near the location you searched. You can view the provider’s contact information, which services they provide, and get directions to the provider’s location.
How it works
- If you know the 5-digit ZIP code of the area where you are, you may get better results. If you don’t, you can just use the nearest city and state, like Baltimore, MD, or San Diego, CA.
- You can click on the markers on the map to get more information about each location.
- You can also view the locations in a list view. Click on the list button.
- To get directions to a service provider’s location, you can enter the specific address for where you’d like to start from, and directions will be displayed.
For more information, please visit hiv.gov.
HIV Case Management
The HIV/AIDS Case Management program provides support, referrals and guidance for persons living with HIV/AIDS and members of their households. It serves people living in Boone, Campbell, Carroll, Grant, Gallatin, Kenton, Owen and Pendleton Counties.
The level or amount of case management is based on an evaluation of a person’s needs at any given time and can include:
- Short-term counseling
- Help in finding doctors/dentists
- Support groups
- Education about living with HIV/AIDS
The overall intent of case management is to provide clients with a range of care using existing community services to the greatest degree possible. The goal is to help clients be as self-sufficient as possible.
Financial assistance
Financial assistance with medical, dental and mental health needs, medications, health insurance premiums and transportation is available based on household income and size.
Becoming a Client
If you have recently been diagnosed with HIV or AIDS and want to join the HIV/AIDS case management program, please call 859-414-2573 or email intake@nkyhealth.org.
Please refer to the checklist of documents you will need to provide at your first appointment.
More Information
Case management services are located in the Health Department’s District Office.
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services HIV/AIDS division
HIV Testing
The only way to find out if you are infected with HIV is to get tested. The Health Department provides anonymous and confidential HIV testing and counseling, with results available during your visit.
HIV testing is available at the following county syringe access exchange programs:
Campbell County Syringe Access Exchange Program
1 to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays
HIV testing will be available in the NKY Health Mobile Unit located on Highrise Drive, which is off Churchill Drive at the intersection of North Grand Drive in Newport, Ky. All participants must be in line by 3:30 pm to be tested.
Grant County Syringe Access Exchange Program
9:30 to 11:30 a.m. AND 1 to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays
HIV testing will be available at the Grant County Health Center. All participants must be in line by 3:30 pm to be tested.
Kenton County Syringe Access Exchange Program
1 to 4 p.m. on Thursdays
HIV testing will be available in the Caracole Mobile Unit located at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, 1500 James Simpson Jr. Way. All participants must be in line by 3:30 pm to be tested.
Schedule your HIV test online*
To schedule an appointment at the Boone County Health Center, please request an appointment here.
To schedule an appointment at the Kenton County Health Center, please request an appointment here.
To schedule an appointment at the Campbell County Health Center, please request an appointment here.
*Testing appointments are available on Mondays between the hours of 8 am and 12 pm only.
What happens if my test is positive?
If your test is reactive, you will have to have a blood test to confirm the HIV infection. Health Department staff will provide the confirmatory testing and help link you to medical care and case management services- seen below.
More information
If you have questions about HIV testing in Northern Kentucky, please contact the Health Department District Office
For additional testing sites, visit the National HIV Testing Resources to search by ZIP Code.
Condom Distribution
Correctly using condoms can reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV and viral hepatitis. Condoms can also provide protection against other diseases that may be transmitted through sex like Zika and Ebola. Using condoms correctly, every time, can also help prevent pregnancy.
Locations providing free condoms
Updated Dec. 27, 2021
Community locations
- Activate HealthCare, 600 Rodeo Dr., Erlanger, Ky., Phone: (859) 342-0901. Hours fluctuate, call first.
- Bar 32, 701 Bakewell St., Covington, Ky., Phone:(859) 261-2241. Hours: 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. daily.
- Campbell County Syringe Exchange, the intersection of Churchill Drive and N. Grand Ave. Hours: 1 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesdays.
- City Heights/Ida Spence Mission Community Center, 2401 Benton Rd., Covington, Ky., Phone: (859) 581-9174. Hours fluctuate, call first.
- Covington Metro Treatment Center, 1450 Madison Ave., Covington, Ky., Phone: (859) 444-4499. Hours: 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
- Crazy Fox Saloon, 901 Washington Ave., Newport, Ky., Phone: (859) 261-2143. Hours: 3 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. daily.
- Crossroads Treatment Center, 1974 Walton Nicholson Rd., Independence, Ky., Phone: (800) 805-6989. Hours: 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
- HealthPoint, 1401 Madison Ave., Covington, Ky., Phone: (859) 655-6100. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
- Life Learning Center 20 W 18th St. Covington, Ky. – Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday, 8:30 am – 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saturday, CLOSED on Sundays.
- NKY Med Clinic, 1717 Madison Ave., Covington, Ky., Phone: (859) 360-0250. Hours: 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- NorthKey Covington, 513 Madison Ave., Covington, Ky., Phone: (859) 331-3292. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Friday.
- PIER, 1002 Monmouth Ave., Newport, Ky., Phone: (859) 547-6539. Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Ask for a brown bag.